Tag: NaBloPoMo

You must see this old bungalow, before I leave. There’s also a beautiful park nearby. You’ll love it!

The rooms of the old bungalow were given out on rent to college students, and we had a chance to see the room occupied by my cousin and a few other girls.

On the wall next to one of the beds was a post-it note with the words ‘Veni Vedi Vici’

* * *

At the beginning of this month, I took up a challenge – to post something every single day of November. It’s what they call NaBloPoMo. A blogging friend wrote several inspiring posts and a fellow blogger whom I hadn’t known at the time gave me the courage to participate. But I did not believe I would be able to successfully complete it, and so I never registered for the Official Blogroll.

To motivate myself, I began drafting the last post of the month – celebrating my achievement. This note, an affirmation of conquest before really conquering, seemed most appropriate.

Today is the 30th consecutive day of blogging. The past month has been a fascinating creative experiment – completing long forgotten drafts and reliving stories from my childhood; recalling random conversations and writing poetry about mundane events. When the words dried up, I dug into reserves of virtual archives and pictures from travels. All of my posts were published on late nights. And I almost never knew what I was going to write till the moment I began typing. Even when I returned home late from work, despite the heavy eyes, I made it a point to write.

And tonight, I can say with pride, I have succeeded.

* * *

‘Veni Vedi Vici’

I never met the girl who wrote that note, but I imagine she has big dreams. She has come to the biggest city of the country. She’s most definitely seen many days here. And making it through her graduation may well be the beginning of her conquests.

I’m guessing the girl has no idea that I snapped a picture of her note-to-self. If you are that girl, I hope you have made many a conquest.

* * *

Even with weary eyes, the view from the top is beautiful.

The view from Dadhikar fort – the mist rising and dissolving above the shallow valleys

“Veni, vidi, vici” is a Latin phrase popularly attributed to Julius Caesar, who supposedly used the phrase in a letter to the Roman Senate around 46 BC after he had achieved a quick victory in his short war against Pharnaces II of Pontus at the Battle of Zela. The phrase translates to ‘I came, I saw, I conquered’

And now it’s time for a short break!

Many many thanks to all the wonderful people who have been a part of this journey, for reading, liking and commenting. I’ll see you soon!

No matter how late it might get
No matter where I am,
I’ve learnt the hard way;
It’s wise to take public transit
And avoid the traffic jam.

I knew the traffic was bad. But I never expected the roads of Delhi to be so bad. Today it took me two hours to travel a distance that should have been 15 minutes. But coming to think of it, traffic has its place in levelling the field. In a city that likes to flaunt its premium wheels, public transport actually ends up being a better option. And a pedestrian can actually be faster than the fastest car on the road!

The traffic isn’t doing any good to my blogging or writing skills, though.

This is post #26 in this year’s NaBloPoMo, or as Ra calls it Nano Poblano

On a dry, hot October afternoon, the deer were relaxing in the shade of their little oasis. The way some of them stared at us, I can only imagine them gossiping about the wide-eyed trespassers and the ridiculous noises coming from those black things in their hands.

This is post #25 in this year’s NaBloPoMo, or as Ra calls it Nano Poblano

Early morning
As the bud opened her arms,
I tried to get close.
I wanted a picture
It cost me a few scars.
I wondered why roses have thorns
The thorny plant replied:
Perhaps you may consider
Even a thorny plant can nurture a rose.

Like this:

Winter is upon us, in the Northern hemisphere. The Sun which burnt our skins during the summer will be much sought after. Soak it in as much as you can right now, while it has still has a gentle warmth. It will soon be reduced to a mere formality once winter sets in fully.

Charpoy in an open shed near Dadhikar Fort, Alwar, Rajasthan.

This is post #17 in this year’s NaBloPoMo, or as Ra calls it Nano Poblano